As the principal architect behind the unprecedented growth of International Bancshares Corporation and International Bank of Commerce, Dennis E. Nixon is widely recognized as one of the nation's leading banking authorities and executives. Since joining IBC in 1975, Nixon has been instrumental in International Bancshares Corporation's ranking as the largest minority-founded bank organization in the United States one of the largest independent banks in Texas and Oklahoma. Nixon's knowledge in all areas of banking was pivotal in developing IBC's extensive acquisition and expansion efforts. The IBC family of banks has assets of $15.5 billion, with 166 full-service branches and 256 ATMs throughout the 75 communities in Texas and Oklahoma IBC serves.
IBC's strategic development, designed by Nixon and his leadership team, is best summarized in the company's philosophy, "We Do More." The bank's outstanding growth and consistent performance with Nixon at the helm sets it apart from other institutions.
Internationally, Nixon was instrumental in the passage of the North American Free Trade Agreement. In May of 2008, IBC was recognized with the United States-Mexico Chamber of Commerce's Good Neighbor Award for the bank's contribution to the passage of NAFTA on its 15th anniversary. That "Good Neighbor" tribute describes Dennis Nixon's career-long economic development efforts along the Texas/ Mexico border. It highlights his work toward goodwill, close ties, and binational prosperity between the U.S. and Mexico.
His track record of helping small businesses grow and expand spans more than four decades. His "We Do More" attitude has driven him to unite border residents and communities because he knows that communities can't move forward unless they move together. That's why he helped create and start advocacy organizations like the Association of South Texas Communities, Texas Border Coalition, Border Trade Alliance, and the Alliance for Security and Trade, to name a few. During his tenure on the U.S. Chamber of Commerce board, he was the only director from the southern border of the United States, providing a unique and special perspective to the Chamber's legislative agenda and advocacy efforts. Nixon is currently a member of the U.S.-Mexico CEO Dialogue, an elite group of U.S. and Mexican chief executives whose members address core issues in the bilateral relationship between the two countries. The Dialogue is an initiative of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, of which Nixon is a former board of directors member.
As the largest inland port in the United States, Laredo plays a vital role in the international trade arena, and Nixon has been at the helm of those issues his entire career. From his role in the passage of NAFTA to his steadfast support of U.S. Customs and Border Protection efforts to his promotion of more innovative, more efficient borders, Nixon is the tireless advocate that mayors, business leaders, and trade officials look to for guidance, direction, and leadership. Nixon has written and spoken on the importance of immigration reform and is considered by many to be a leading expert on immigration issues.
His myriad of civic involvements, awards, and recognitions include the Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame Award, the Paul Harris Fellow by Rotary International for outstanding community service, and the Eleanor Roosevelt Humanities Award given by the State of Israel for exceptional services to humanity. 2006, Dennis Nixon was inducted into the prestigious Texas Business Hall of Fame. In 2007, he was elected to serve on the board of directors of the United States Chamber of Commerce. In 2008, he received the International Citizen Award from the World Affairs Council of San Antonio. Washington's Birthday Celebration Association selected him to receive the Mr. South Texas 2010 honor. In 2016, Nixon and his wife received the Distinguished Community Service Award from the Chabad Center for Jewish Life and Learning at their annual L'Chaim Event in San Antonio, Texas. 2018, Nixon received the Distinguished Business Leader Award from the Texas Association of Business.
Dennis Nixon is a member of the Texas Business Leadership Council, a statewide network of CEOs and senior business executives who advance a long-term vision of a prosperous Texas in a globally competitive business environment. Nixon is a senior member of the Board of Visitors of M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas.
Nixon is a graduate of the University of Texas. He is married to Elma "Bavi" H. Nixon and has three children: Denise Nixon Bunk, Jonathan A. Nixon, and Kristina E. Nixon Netzer; and five grandchildren, Samantha Rose Bunk, Charles Davis Bunk, Jonathan Dennis Nixon, Sebastian Rolf Nixon, and Olivia Katherine Netzer.
